Everyone’s genitals are a little different — yours are unique to you. Penises can be big or small, thick or thin, long or short, straight or with a little curve. Vulvas and labias can be big or small. Some people have wide vaginal openings, others have smaller ones. Genitals come in many different skin colors and tones, from dark brown to purple to tan to light pink, with many different textures, as well as types and amounts of pubic hair.
It may take time to feel confident about your genitals, but remembering that you’re “normal” and unique is the best way to feel comfortable in your own skin. Try talking with a parent or another adult you trust about your feelings: it might be awkward or scary at first to bring it up, but they can give you support and love as you get to know your body.
Did you know you can support reproductive rights from home? You can do it by talking with your family about the issue of birth control access at your next video chat.
Yep, it will take courage and skill to introduce this discussion at the virtual family gathering. Don’t worry! We’re here to empower you with the facts. Read on for how to explain that birth control is basic health care and everyone should be able to access it.
Tip #1: Acknowledge the hostility from some public officials.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) guarantees birth control coverage without a copay. That has helped millions of people access the birth control they need.
However, some politicians and federal judges — including Supreme Court justices — are hostile to the ACA rule that ensures you can get birth control without paying out-of-pocket costs.
Tip #2: Share the facts — tons of people use birth control and need coverage.
Birth control is super common.
9 in 10 women use contraception at some point in their lives.
Trans men, nonbinary people, and genderqueer people use birth control.
Limits on access to birth control — like not covering it in health insurance plans — affect a ton of people!
Tip #3: Dispel myths.
Birth control coverage is not controversial for the majority of Americans.
70% of Americans believe health insurance plans should cover the full cost of birth control.
Ask: “Can you think of anything else 70% of Americans agree on?”
Tip #4: Explain the consequences of losing coverage if public officials who are hostile to the ACA’s birth control coverage guarantee get their way.
Losing health care coverage for birth control can force people to choose between paying for it out of pocket or buying other necessities like groceries. Seriously.
Without health care coverage, an IUD could cost more than $1,300, and birth control pills could cost up to $600 per year.
Due to systemic inequality in economic opportunities and access to health coverage, 40% of Black women ages 18–44 say they could only afford to pay $10 a month for birth control out of pocket.
Tip #5: Discuss the benefits of birth control coverage.
Birth control has helped people complete their education, advance in their careers, and take better care of themselves and their families.
Ask: “Can you imagine how it would be for someone to lose their birth control coverage and not be able to afford birth control anymore?”
Tip #6: Say ‘Thank You’
Express gratitude at the end of the discussion.
And feel free to share the types of policies you support, such as ending the Title X gag rule — which has limited access to birth control and other preventive sexual and reproductive health care.
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Happy Method Monday! In honor of back to school, we decided to go back in time to look at some vintage methods that are still in use (mostly) today. Since they share many characteristics, the cervical cap, the diaphragm, and the sponge will share the spotlight this week.
The best thing about these methods is that they’re totally hormone-free, which is important to some women for health reasons or because of personal preference. The not-so-great thing? These methods aren’t as effective as methods like the implant, the IUD, the shot, the pill, the patch, or the ring. The non-hormonal ParaGard IUD, which is made out of copper and plastic and lasts for up to 12 years (!), might be a better option if you don’t want hormones and are looking for super-effective birth control.
But back to the old-school barriers…
They’ve got a lot in common:
The diaphragm, the sponge, and the cervical cap work more or less the same way. You can get more detail about each method on Bedsider, but in a nutshell all three of these methods work with spermicide to block sperm from entering the uterus. For all three, you have to be comfortable with sticking your finger up there and possibly even doing some adjusting. This can take some getting used to, so these methods might be tricky if you’re drunk or in a hurry.
You should use them with spermicide and a condomto increase their effectiveness. If you’re not using a condom, make sure you and your partner have both been tested since spermicide can increase your risk for STIs including HIV. Veronica, a diaphragm user, backs it up with a condom just to make sure.
Your partner shouldn’t be able to feel them. While he may not be able to feel these methods during sex, you do have to insert them before sex (and take them out after), so your partner will probably eventually notice that the method is there. That being said, if you want something inconspicuous, any of these methods can be inserted hours before sex and stay put for 24-48 hours (depending on the method).
You have to leave them in place for at least 6 hours after sex to help ensure that the spermicide has done its thing.
There are side effects. These methods don’t cause the side effects sometimes associated with hormonal methods (or offer the healthbenefits), but they can sometimes cause vaginal irritation or UTIs (urinary tract infections). The biggest possible side effect? Pregnancy, since these methods are less effective on their own than hormonal methods or the non-hormonal IUD.
You shouldn’t use them when you have your period. If you’re planning on having sex while Aunt Flo is in town, you should use condoms or a different method during that time of the month.
There are a few differences too:
The diaphragm mayreduce the risk of a few nasty STIs (gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, and chlamydia), but it’s nothing compared to the protection of a condom. If you’re worried about STIs or want a back-up birth control method, condoms are definitely the way to go.
You should reapply spermicide if you inserted the diaphragm or the cervical cap a long time before sex. Same goes if you are using these methods for multiple rounds. You don’t have to worry about this with the sponge since the spermicide is already in there.
You can get the sponge without a prescription–it’s even available online. The cervical cap and the diaphragm, on the other hand, need to be fitted by a doctor.
The diaphragm is getting an upgrade. There is a new diaphragm, called Silks, making its way to the U.S. market. Silks is designed to be easier to put in and take out and may potentially be used to prevent HIV as well as pregnancy.
Liking the sound of these old-school options? Show your support by “liking” your favorites on our Facebook Method Explorer and/or tell us about your experience in the comments!
